I am new to the sport and got a line on a Liquid Force M-80 (16m), pump, bar, lines, harness and board. Used...online you can get that package for $999....whats a good used price to buy this package for? Should I get details on the board?

Just sold the same kite in size 12m in great condition with bar and lines for $50.00. Some times people try the sport, don't get into it, store the gear for years and think it is still worth what they paid for it. It would be great to know what board and harness go with it but you can get a much better deal on much newer gear for 1/2 the price.

Haha, I thought so...I met this guy in a bar and he started talking about it and how good it was. he was asking $1800. The deal is that I am in Thunder Bay, Ontario. We have a limited kite surfing community that call themselves Superior Kitesurfing that go out on Lake Superior. If you want lessons you need to have your own kite sort of thing. Any good suggestions for a beginner in what i should be looking for in decent package that will allow me to learn on the big lake (Superior) and allow me to progress.

I understand that you need to get your own gear for lessons, but you're still better off to learn the kite handling with a small kite before attaching yourself to a big one. Getting the kite handling skills first will also help you avoid destroying whatever full-size kite you eventually end up buying.

As an aside, it's getting a little late in the season to start learning--especially if you don't have a good wetsuit already. I'm not saying it's impossible, just that you might need to temper your expectations a bit. The upshot is that snowkiting is the best training you can have before getting out on the water, and you'll have ample opportunity for that soon enough. The foils I mention in that other post are great for both training in a field, and screaming across the snow on a blustery day.

As for the big kite, ask the locals what their main size is and look for something to match. You'll want a 4-line SLEI/Bow/Delta shape with 'good depower range' and 'easy relaunch'. For the board, you'll want something a little larger to get started. Then you'll need a harness and a wetsuit. I also consider an impact/flotation vest or a PFD and a helmet to be required equipment. Even if you find some stuff used, expect to spend almost $2000.

So, keep that one in mind. This used Crossbow they have for sale might be a tiny bit expensive for its vintage, but they do an inflation test on all the used kites they sell, and I'm sure they wouldn't send anything out the door with worn bridle lines--Which are only two of the things you have to look out for when buying used gear.

For the beginner, there's a risk associated with used gear: it's tough to know what to look out for; and you could get screwed with a poorly performing kite. You'd probably have to tune the bar, etc. etc. etc. The benefit is that if you kill the thing, you haven't spent a ton on it. I'm a fan of buying close-out gear from the previous season, it's new so you know it will work--just not the latest and greatest, and can usually be found at a good discount.

Really though, get the trainer first and fly it. It will give you the healthy respect you need to have for the kite before you put a 12m death machine into the air.